Preview: Jazz at Grizzlies

November 05, 2012|Reuters

One of the few visiting teams to win a game at the FedEx Forum last season comes calling as the Utah Jazz head to Memphis on Monday for the Grizzlies' home opener. Utah triumphed last February when Memphis went 26-7, to tie with three other teams for the third-best home record in the league. The Grizzlies finished the regular season on an 11-game home win streak, equaling a franchise record. Currently, Utah is trying to avoid going winless on its current three-game road trip, all against Western Conference opponents.

Memphis forward Zach Randolph is off to a hot start. He already has 30 rebounds in two games and consecutive double-doubles. Randolph and center Marc Gasol (20.5 points per game) comprise a formidable and underrated tandem in the frontcourt. Defensively, the Grizzlies must contain Utah guard Mo Williams, who poured in 29 points in Saturday's 110-100 loss to San Antonio and is averaging 22.0 points per game.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ROOT (Utah), SportSouth (Memphis).

ABOUT THE JAZZ (1-2): Utah coach Tyrone Corbin tried a new personnel rotation against San Antonio, shifting Paul Millsap from power forward to small forward. That configuration, which included Williams and Gordon Hayward in the backcourt and Derrick Favors and Al Jefferson on the front line, scored on five straight possessions as the first half ended. Millsap has two double-doubles and leads the way on the glass for a Utah team enjoying a +7.4 rebounding margin for the season.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (1-1): Call point guard Mike Conley the "Robin Hood" of the NBA. He steals from the opposition -- tallying eight swipes through two games -- and gives to the fans. Conley purchased 500 tickets for Monday's game, that the team distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis on Sunday afternoon. Robert Pera will hold his introductory press conference Monday as the Grizzlies' new majority owner. Pera bid $377 million to acquire the team from Michael Heisley.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Grizzlies F Darrell Arthur, who fractured his leg in September, hopes to be back in action by the first of December. Arthur has been cleared for some low-impact conditioning workouts.

2. Memphis has forced 41 miscues through two games, and Utah coughed it up 17 times on Saturday against the Spurs.

3. Utah is the most recent regular-season foe to beat Memphis at home in regulation. The Grizzlies' final two home losses in 2011-12, against the Lakers and Raptors, both went to overtime.